European Opera Theaters behind the scenes. Pictures taken from 1988 to 2001. Why behind the scenes? Is there not a danger, in showing what goes on there, that the illusion may be destroyed? After all, the spectator should be allowed to see only the illusion, not all the hard work, the backstage machinations, which have gone into it. And yet, it is this very activity which represents a great part of theatrical life. The photographs of Gérard Uféras thus liberate us in a sense, allowing us to leave our seats and experience what is normally hidden from us. We are let in on secrets, and witness the longings, fears and joys experienced by those whose task is to produce the spectacle. In exposing the secret soul of the theater Uféras runs the risk that he will deplete its sense of mystery. Happily, he walks the tightrope superbly, neither the voyeur nor the superficial observer. Balanced above the turbulence he takes the viewer by the hand and guides him through this special world, while conveying to us the profound respect he has for it. I hope these photographs will enchant many others, as they have me. Gérard Mortier Director of the Paris national Opera FRANCE Paris, Opéra National de Paris Palais Garnier Paris, Opéra Comique Paris, Opéra National de Paris Bastille Bobigny, MC93 Versailles, Théâtre des Champs Elysées au Théâtre Royal SUISSE Genêve, Grand Théatre Zürich, Opernhaus UNITED KINGDOM London, English National Opera Glyndebourne Festival Opera BELGIUM Brussels, Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie ITALY Milan, Teatro alla Scala Verona, Arena di Verona Venice, Gran Teatro La Fenice IRELAND Wexford Festival Opera SPAIN Barcelona, Gran Teatro del Licéu AUSTRIA Salzburger Festspiele GERMANY Münich, Bayerische Staatsoper Berlin, Staatsoper Unter Den Linden Berlin, Komische Oper Leipzig, Oper Leipzig RUSSIA Moscow, Bolshoi Theater